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“She was an Italian grandma. She never wrote anything down,” said Stuart, who grew up in Stamford. “So, I had to physically write all her recipes out.”

It was well worth it: Michele’s Pies will this year celebrate its 10-year anniversary.

The display case is filled with a huge selection of pies, from fruit pies, including apple caramel crumb and peach; and nut pies such as butterscotch pecan and chocolate walnut; to banana cream pie and key lime; and savory pies, including Shepherd's pie and chicken pot pie.

All the pies are made right in the kitchen in the back of the shop on Main Avenue.

The shop also sells cookies, brownies, granola and tea breads.

A lot of the pie recipes used at the shop came from Grandma Louise, who would be proud of her protégé.

“My grandmother tried to teach my other family members to bake, but no one was able to hack it except me,” Stuart said. "Before she passed away, I told her that one day I would open up a pie shop.”

For Easter, the shop will offer Irish soda bread and ricotta pie as well as a variety of quiches, including ham and brie, sausage and provolone, Lorraine, and spinach and asparagus.

She believes the shop has succeeded for so many years because “everyone always associates our pies with their grandma."

Stuart's pies reach far beyond her Norwalk shop. “We had 27 pies that won the National Pie Championships in Florida between 2007 and 2012. This was a competition from bakers from across the United States," she said.

The shop has also been featured on the Food Network, QVC and "Good Morning America."

She is also the author of two books on pies: “Perfect Pies” and “Perfect Pies & More,” which are published by Ballantine Books.

Pies are available for order through the store's website or for pickup at the shop. For more information on Michele's Pies, 666 Main Ave. Norwalk, call 203-354-7144, click
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